Phoenix will use nearly a million dollars to better connect seniors and volunteers during the pandemic. 

The City Council approved buying 950 computer tablets with built-in Wi-Fi hotspots and two years of unlimited data. Eight hundred tablets will go to people 62 and older living in Phoenix public housing developments. The Housing Department says the devices will provide older residents access to telemedicine, online services and social media.

The remaining 150 tablets will be used by volunteers and students in the Experience Corps tutoring program. The program is moving from in-person to virtual tutoring to help the volunteers, who are 50 years and older, stay safe. Through a partnership with the city and AARP, tutoring is offered to Phoenix students in kindergarten through third-grade with the goal of students becoming proficient readers by the time they finish third-grade.

According to a city report, the contract with T-Mobile will not exceed $990,000 (including applicable taxes) and will be covered using federal coronavirus relief funds.